Temple Bailey

“ When they were once more in the carriage, he ordered the driver to go to Roby’s.
A crowd of girls streamed out from the doors of the big store as they drove up, but Lisbeth made straight for a slender figure in a thin old coat, As the dainty red-robed figure threaded its way between the staring girls, one of them cried:
“Marcella, Marcella Blair, it ’s Lisbeth!”
Within the carriage the judge sat up straight and looked out at the sound of that name. She had called her “Marcella Blair,” and he was Marcellus Blair! ”

“ The yellow glare showed a pale little face with earnest blue eyes, red-rimmed from crying, and fair hair braided in a thick braid.
“Why have n’t your people looked you up?” the old gentleman asked querulously, as the light went out.
“I have n't any people,” sighed Lisbeth, “only my sister.”
“How old is she?”
“Oh, she 'll soon be sixteen, and she works at Roby’s ribbon counter, She won't get home till late to-night, ‘cause they don’t shut up until late on Christmas eve.”
“Hum,” said the judge, crustily, “I suppose I ‘ll have to look after you.” ”

“ But before she could finish her invitation a loud knock echoed through the building.
“They ’ve come,” said the judge. “Now you just sit still until they come upstairs and get you; don’t go bumping around in the dark. I ‘ll go down and see them.” And out he rushed, leaving Lisbeth to face his lighted window alone.
The police having found the janitor, the door was quickly opened: the lights soon flared in the halls; and in a minute Lisbeth was surrounded by a little crowd composed of two jolly policemen, the janitor, and a half-dozen people who had watched the opening of the door. ”